Injection cartridge filling apparatus

Abstract

A filling apparatus for cartridges includes a housing for holding a vial of fluid, a severing device for severing the septum of the vial, a fluid chamber for receiving the discharged fluid, a valving structure for effecting the discharge of fluid from the vial and for directing the fluid into a cartridge upon the decreasing of the size of the fluid chamber, and air inlet system for admitting air to the vial upon discharge of the fluid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60 / 431,895 filed Dec. 9, 2002.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention deals with a handheld cartridge filling apparatus for filling the cartridge with vaccines or other fluids, and in particular to a hand-operable cartridge filling apparatus for use with needle-free ampules or cartridges and the associated filling station when dealing with multiple cartridges in a magazine.[0004]2. Description of Prior Art[0005]The specification of U.S. Patent Publication US 2003 / 0040715A1, filed Aug. 20, 2002, and corresponding PCT Publication WO 03 / 015846 A2, filed Aug. 21, 2002, herein incorporated by reference, describes several methods for filling ampules or cartridges prior to their use with a needle-free injection system. In particular, FIG. 19 of the foregoing earlier publications illustrate a filling station that uses a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]A further object is to provide apparatus for severing the septum of a vial or other container to release fluid held therein into an optional metering station that will minimize lost fluid at the end of its use.

[0009]A still additional object is to provide apparatus for holding a cartridge having an openable, flexible, protective cover for maintaining sterility before, during, and after filling, and to fill the cartridge with a desired fluid.

[0021]Another specific object of the invention is to provide a hand operable apparatus for filling cartridges as set forth in the preceding paragraph which is compact, easy and efficient in use, inexpensive and efficient and long lasting in operation.

[0024]The invention includes in another respect a discharge device including an optional metering structure having a chamber with a cavity of variable size to receive desired amounts of fluid for transfer to the cartridge. A tubular member (which is preferably cylindrical but could be of any shape) conveys the fluid from the metering structure to the cartridge. A tubular member has a one-way valve for preventing the leakage of fluid when there is no cartridge positioned to receive the fluid.

Problems solved by technology

It was stated in the specification of the foregoing publications, that “the main difficulty in using the vial without first transferring to the syringe, comes in the valving required to control flow of air into the vial and flow of injectate out of the vial”.

Images